Former Sandy cop jailed

Bill Bergin is indicted by a Clackamas County grand jury on three counts including one felony

By Jim Hart

The Sandy Post, Nov 14, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

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An investigation by the Gresham Police Department has alleged that a Sandy police officer obtained revoked, cancelled or suspended driver’s licenses and gave them to a friend who may have used them so that minors could enter places where alcoholic beverages are sold.

Bill Bergin, a former officer with the Sandy Police Department, was indicted by a Clackamas County grand jury this week. Bergin turned himself in to the Clackamas County Jail Thursday, Nov. 13.

He has been charged with felony identity theft, first-degree official misconduct and use of an invalid driver’s license, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Greg Horner.

“We’re talking about one discreet event,” said Deputy District Attorney Mike Regan, “with three alternative theories to allege. Identity theft means using someone else’s identity with intent to defraud; Official misconduct is engaging in conduct not authorized in his official duties, with intent to harm another or benefit himself or another. And the license charge is using another person’s license when you know it has been cancelled or revoked.”

Regan said the incident allegedly occurred while Bergin was an employee of the Sandy Police Department, but not necessarily while he was on duty.

“Bergin is alleged to have kept driver’s licenses in his coffee table drawer and then given two of them to an under-age friend of his to use to get into bars,” Regan said. “As a cop, he knows he’s never supposed to do that. He wasn’t supposed to keep the licenses or give them to anyone.”

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